Cigars fall into two major categories: naturally flavored and infused. Like many that come from Acid, infused cigars are soaked in essential oils, sugars, botanicals, or beverages like cognac to make them fruitier, sweeter, and wholly unique. Natural cigars, on the other hand, get their flavors from the blend of tobacco leaves they’re made from. Some cigar enthusiasts like both kinds, while some like one or the other. It’s mainly up to your preferences and tastes. But if you’re looking for a much broader range of flavors, infused cigars are the way to go. Some other popular brands that make infused cigars are Dutch Master, Rocky Patel, Drew Estate, and Baccarat. Here are a few of the best vanilla cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024.
Acid Blondie Blue Natural
- Strength: Mild to Medium
- Infused: Yes
I’ve recommended the Acid Blondie Blue before, and I stand by that. It’s a great mild to medium-bodied smoke infused with various flavors, including vanilla. Yes, you’ll get a few more flavors from the experience, but if you like sweet, creamy vanilla notes, you’ll love this one.
Avanti Vanilla
- Strength: Mellow
- Infused: Yes
Made of Kentucky tobacco, the Avanti Vanilla is a small, quick cigar brimming with vanilla flavors. You’ll also get a little spice, but don’t worry; it’s still a mellow, relaxing smoke. When I tried these, I paired them with some coffee in the late morning.
CAO Bella Vanilla
- Strength: Mellow
- Infused: Yes
CAO’s Bella Vanilla is wrapped in a gorgeous Cameroon leaf over Nicaraguan tobacco and infused with vanilla beans to give a short, sweet smoke rich in flavor. They also come in a cigarillo size, but when I tried the blend, I opted for the Robusto.
Azucar by Espinosa
- Strength: Mellow
- Infused: Yes
This vanilla-flavored cigar hails from the Dominican Republic and features a natural Dominican wrapper and tobacco. It’s sweet and creamy and pairs well with your choice of a sugary beverage. Fun fact: Azucar means “sugar” in Spanish.
Garcia y Vega Game Palma Vanilla
- Strength: Mellow
- Infused: Yes
Aromatic, flavored, and plentiful, since they come in boxes of 40, the Garcia y Vega Game cigars are excellent everyday smoke. The Palma Vanilla features — you guessed it — lots of vanilla, some sweetness, and some creamy goodness.
La Gloria Cubana Corojo de Oro
- Strength: Medium to Full
- Infused: No
Okay, first things first. The La Gloria Cubana Corojo de Oro is a traditional cigar, so it’s not infused, but the blend works together to produce some incredible flavors. It has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Piloto Cubano, and Nicaraguan Ometepe filler tobaccos. The primary flavor is caramel all the way through, with some dark flavors like coffee, nuttiness, and cedar. But the way the caramel and sweet notes roll off the tongue gives it a delightful, vanilla-like experience.
M by Macanudo Vanilla
- Strength: Medium
- Infused: Yes
This cigar has been discontinued, so it’s a tough find. That’s a shame because it’s chock full of vanilla, sweet, and creamy flavors. Since I’ve been able to try one, and they may still be available at select stores and locations, I’m including it on this list. I recommend grabbing more than one if you can get your hands on it. While it is unfortunate, cigars are often available in limited releases due to the natural agriculture behind them and the availability of grown tobacco strains. Sometimes, they don’t sell well; other times, continued production isn’t viable or sustainable. You can, however, try some of the other labels in the M by Macanudo line. They’re just as flavorful.
Sobremesa Brulee
- Strength: Medium
- Infused: No
While it’s not infused and instead a traditional cigar, the Sobremesa Brulee is pretty damn close thanks to light flavors like wood, caramel, and vanilla. It’s also nutty, creamy, and extra sweet. Even if your taste buds don’t pick up the vanilla, it’s still a phenomenal smoke.
Tatiana Classic Vanilla
- Strength: Mild
- Infused: Yes
Aged specifically in vanilla essence, this smooth, mild smoke never lets up on that flavor. You’ll taste it all through, along with lots of sweetness, sugar, and cream. Be careful; if you light one of these around some guests, they might beg you for one, too. They give off a lovely aroma.
If you like the Classic, you’ll also like the Tatiana Dolce Vanilla .
West Tampa Tobacco Co. White
- Strength: Medium
- Infused: No
Rich and creamy, this medium-bodied smoke from West Tampa Tobacco Company is a stunner. They’re handmade in Nicaragua and feature a Habano wrapper with an Ecuadorian Habano binder. The fillers are from Ometepe, Pueblo Nuevo, and Jalapa. You’ll get some leather, pepper, brown sugar, and plenty of vanilla cream. Since I live near Tampa, I cheated a little here — they may be harder to find out west if you’re not fond of shipped cigars.
If you like these, you should also try:
- CAO Moontrance
- Cuban Delights Vanilla
- Drew Estate Tabak Especial (any)
- Havana Honeys Dominican Del Sol Vanilla
- La Palina Nicaragua Connecticut
Get to know our expert
Why should you listen to me? It’s a valid question. I smoke cigars all the time, and I have many recommendations and plenty of advice to share with others. But none of those things qualify me as an expert. Instead, it’s the years of experience, the time I’ve invested in the world of cigars, the excellent connections I’ve made with cigar makers and sellers, and the vast wealth of knowledge I’ve gained during that time. I know what goes into an excellent cigar, and I’ve certainly earned the right to recommend some to others, whether you’re a beginner and this is your first time smoking or have your own cabinet humidor stocked and maintained. Instead of waxing poetic, I’d rather let my recommendations speak for me.
